UPDATE: Iraqi army liberates major district in north of Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq – The Iraqi army announced it liberated Arabi 1 neighborhood in northern Mosul after advancing Iraqi forces engaged in tough clashes with ISIS militants where the extremist group holds onto Rashidiya, one last major district in the eastern half of the city.

The army's 15th and 16th Divisions entered the Arabi 1 neighborhood on Friday. Along with the neighborhood, Mosul's medicine factory and Tabadl Tijari area were also retaken from ISIS militants.

The elite Iraqi Counter Terrorism forces (ICTS) liberated Mosul’s Ghabat District and the Presidential Palace among other areas in the city on Thursday.

The Iraqi army also retook the town of Tel Kaif, 10 kilometers north of Mosul, following a coordinated attack on three fronts.